Your dog may be having stomach problems. Maybe he needs to lose weight. Or, he may age. Whatever the reason, you’re now looking to switch dog food.
There is a right way to switch dog food, which is not to switch the dog food too quickly or overfeed the dog. This will ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible and that your dog enjoys his new food. Learn from the experts why it’s important to change dog food at certain times in your puppy’s life and how to do it properly.
Why do I need to switch my dog food?
Sometimes, ingredients in a dog’s food make it sick. Dr. Shannon Barrett, of Charleston, South Carolina, says these health problems include decreased appetite, soft bowl movements or vomiting.
Another possible symptom is skin allergies. Signs of skin allergy include chronic ear infections, chronic anal gland irritation/infection, licking feet, and generalized itching. While many owners believe their dogs have an environmental or grain allergy, Dr. Barrett says most dogs are allergic to the protein source found in their food.
If your dog is facing a medical problem, switching to a different food may help. Dr. Megan Conrad at Hello Ralphie,a veterinarian telehealth service.
How often should I change my dog food?
Opinions vary on how often to change dog food, but according to Dr. Barrett, you should only do it if necessary. Changing it too often can make your dog a picky eater. She says introducing too many flavors to your dog can backfire in the future if you need to switch him to a prescription diet with bland flavors. Your dog may not care about it if it eats a variety of foods throughout their life.
Switch dog food when the ingredients in the food are not suitable for the size and age of the dog, according to Dr. Alex Schechter, of Burrwood Veterinary Medicine in Birmingham, Michigan. Improper dog food can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Can switching dog foods too quickly make my dog sick?
Transferring dog food too quickly, or transferring dog food without mixing, can lead to stomach upset and other health problems. To avoid any problems, the safest thing you can do is gradually change the food so your dog gets used to the new food, Dr. Barrett says.
She explains that it is important to mix two foods for several days in a very specific ratio. Here is a dog food conversion chart that you can follow:
- Day 1 to day 3: Mix 25% new dog food with 75% old dog food
- Day 3 to Day 6: Mix 50% new dog food and 50% old dog food
- Day 6 to day 9: Mix 75% new dog food and 25% old dog food
- Day 9 and beyond: Feed the dog 100% of the new diet
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, and soft stools. Dr. Barrett says this should be done for the first three days. If your dog gets sick at the start of the transition, talk to your vet to figure out a new plan. You may have to switch foods again or go back to the previous ratio in three to four days to see if that helps, says Dr. The transition will take a total of 9 to 12 days, but let your dog and their stomach guide you.
You should not introduce any new foods during this time. Barrett explains that if you notice your dog has turned away from his food bowl or is disinterested in the food, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like the taste. Instead, he may feel nauseous.
How much food should I give when changing dog food?
In addition to transitioning slowly, follow the feeding instructions on the dog food bag to dispense the food correctly. Overfeeding your dog can cause weight gain or diarrhea. Dr. Schechter explains that reducing dog food intake and taking digestive aids prescribed by your veterinarian can help improve their digestion during the transition period.
How important is it to use high quality dog food?
According to Dr. Schechter, your dog may be experiencing health problems because poor quality food may contain harmful additives to which they are exposed. Switching to premium or high-quality dog food may be the answer.
But what does high-quality dog food consist of? According to VCA Animal Hospital, dogs should eat combination of meat and vegetables with all the key nutrients that make up a well-balanced dog diet. This includes the right amount of certain essential amino acids found in proteins, minerals, certain essential fatty acids from fats, and vitamins. The right amount will vary based on the dog’s life stage, like puppy, adult, pregnant, or older.
Buy the highest quality dog food you can afford instead of regular dog food, which can hurt your dog’s digestive system. The ingredients in the food should be real and recognizable, and if not, look for a different food, according to VCA Animal Hospital.
Most older, sedentary and neutered or sluggish dogs don’t have high energy needs, so use a lower calorie dog food (as long as your veterinarian said yes). / According to VCA Animal Hospital, there should be less than 350 calories per cup of dog food. If the food is too high in calories, your dog may gain weight and have health problems.
Buy enough food for your dog’s entire food transition
Supply chain issues over the past two years have affected the pet food industry. If possible, Dr. Barrett recommends buying two bags of pet food as a backup.
If you’ve run out and can’t find a specific food for your dog, buy a food with the same protein source, as well as similar ingredients. If your pet is eating a brown rice and salmon diet, look for a salmon and oat diet or another fish-based diet. Dr. Barrett says this can help keep your dog from getting sick.
Consult your veterinarian before switching dog food
Before you make any changes to your dog’s food, consult your dog’s veterinarian. There may be larger issues going on, such as illness or allergies, and your veterinarian may want to examine your dog before you change the food.
Keeping in touch with your veterinarian and monitoring your dog’s health as you switch to a different dog food is key to success with a new diet.
